HP requests centre to release pending Rs. 315.80 crore under disaster fund: CM

22th July 2023

The State Government has requested the Union Government to release an amount of Rs. 315.80 crore at the earliest. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that this amount has been withheld for the past few years, with Rs. 121.71 crore allocated for 2020-21, Rs. 133.56 crore for 2021-22 under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and Rs. 61.07 crore for 2019-20 under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The delay was attributed to objections raised by the Accountant General, which the State Government has successfully resolved through persistent efforts, he said.

Now that all objections have been cleared, the Chief Minister emphasized the urgency of the situation, as the State had recently faced severe devastation caused by incessant rains and flash floods. He said that to address the immediate needs arising from the natural calamity, the State Government is urging the Union Government to expedite the release of the allocated funds.

Sh. Sukhu said that the requested amount, if released promptly, will play a crucial role in assisting the state’s recovery efforts and providing much-needed relief to those affected by the recent disaster. The State Government remains hopeful that the Union Government will heed the call of the state government and extend support during this challenging time, he added.